Restylane vs Juvederm – Which is Right for You?

Restylane and Juvederm are two injectable facial fillers currently on the market. They’re used for cosmetic enhancements such as plumping lips and diminishing wrinkles. Both are FDA approved. If you’re in the market for cosmetic surgery or enhancements, deciding whether to go with Restylane vs Juvederm can be difficult, as the two are quite similar in makeup.

It’s important to understand what they both are and how they work, as well as any potential side effects, before choosing one or the other.

What are Restylane and Juvederm?

Restylane and Juvederm are both made from hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is actually already present in your own body, especially in the fluids in your eyes and joints. It was used in medicine for such things as eye surgery and joint pain well before it was adopted for cosmetic surgery. Restylane specifically is made from non-animal sourced HA.

How do they work?

HA is capable of absorbing up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. Therefore, injecting it into wrinkles and other concave or sagging areas will naturally fill out the areas it’s injected into for a set period of time. HA is eventually absorbed back into the body. So regardless of which brand you choose, the results will ultimately be temporary.

What are the side effects of Restylane?

Those who have had Restylane injections can expect temporary bruising, swelling, and numbness. It’s not recommended for patients with severe allergies, bleeding disorders, and certain facial implants.

What are the side effects of Juvederm?

Like Restylane, Juvederm carries a risk of temporary bruising, swelling, and numbness; there may also be some short-term pain and redness. Use of aspirin or ibuprofen at the time of treatment could cause serious issues. Juvederm has also not been approved for pregnant or breastfeeding patients.

How long does Restylane last?

The length of time before you’ll need another Restylane injection will naturally vary based upon your age, lifestyle, and where you received the injection. Most commonly, a Restylane treatment will last anywhere between 6 and 8 months. You may potentially be able to go up to 12 months between treatments though. Wrinkle treatments tend to last longer than lip treatments.

How long does Juvederm last?

A standard Juvederm treatment will last between 4 and 6 months. However, Juvederm Ultra Plus, which is thicker, can last up to a year. Again, this depends on your age, lifestyle, and the area in which it was injected. Naturally, Juvederm Ultra Plus will also cost a little extra.

What is a Restylane treatment like?

Restylane treatments last around half an hour and are outpatient. No recovery time is necessary, and any temporary bruising can be covered with make up. While there’s slight pain during the injection, it becomes negligible over repeated treatments.

What is a Juvederm treatment like?

Juvederm treatments take about 15-30 minutes and, as with Restylane, are outpatient. While there’s no downtime associated with Juvederm either, it’s recommended that you avoid any strenuous activity until the following day. Pain upon injection is reportedly only slight.

How much does Restlyane cost?

Fillers are priced by the syringe, so the price of a treatment will depend in part on how many syringes that treatment requires. One syringe of Restylane will run you anywhere between $450 and $650.

How much does Juvederm cost?

On average, Juvederm costs nearly the same per syringe — somewhere between $450 and $650 — as Restylane. Newer and longer-lasting versions can potentially cost a few hundred dollars more.

Restylane vs Juvederm

Restylane vs Juvederm – Summary

When you look at Restylane vs Juvederm, they run fairly neck and neck when it comes to pricing and effect.

Restylane lasts a bit longer than the similarly-priced version of Juvederm. But it also carries with it a few more concerns by way of side effects for people with pre-existing conditions.

Juvederm treatments are slightly quicker and have more options open if you’re on a flexible budget, but more precautions need to be taken immediately after treatment.

Whichever you end up opting for, always be sure to consult with a physician about any conditions or medications that could end up affecting your treatment.